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GOD'S GRACE IN THE MIDST OF MIDDLE SCHOOL MISERY by Virginia Knowles 8th grade San Carlos, California.  April 1977.   I had just announced to my classmates that our family was moving to Baltimore.  A red headed chick named Kathleen burst out, “Yay!  Now we won’t have to pick her for our teams in gym class anymore!”   I have laughed about that many times since then, but there was also still a sting from the constant and cruel peer rejection that I suffered for so many years.  I’m sure many of you can relate.   Middle school kids can still be vicious.   Maybe this happened to you or maybe you treated other kids like that.  Middle school misery is real. Well, I was one of those middle school outcasts.  I dressed and acted weirdly.  I talked too much.  I played chess at lunch time in the school library with the other outcast nerds, or we hung out at the nerd bench in the playground.  I had one dear Christian frien...

Dear friends, I presented a workshop called "With  Literature and Justice for All:  Teaching Virtuous Reality with American Literature for 4th-8th Grades"  the 4th Annual  Books & Beyond conference . I've got four video clips linked below, as well as handouts and links for on-line study guides. Part 1: Justice & Stories Part 2: Exploration, Colonies & Revolution Part 3: Pioneers, Civil War, Immigration & Civil Rights Part 4: Family History, Field Trips & Virtuous Reality Workshop notes... With Literature and Justice for All: Teaching "Virtuous Reality" with American Literature in the 4th-8th Grades What do stories teach?   Stories capture our interest, stir our imagination, and engage the heart. Stories teach us to ask, "What would I do if you found myself in this scenario?" Stories teach, by positive and negative examples, how to handle situations and challenges in life. What are the consequences of each decision? (Noble action ca...

Great American Communicators: Patrick Henry Patrick Henry was home schooled by his father and his uncle. He had ten brothers and sisters. He didn’t do well at farming or storekeeping, so he taught himself law. He became famous for a case known as “The Parson’s Cause” and went on to establish himself as a prominent lawyer in Williamsburg, Virginia. Patrick married twice. His first wife, Sarah, went insane after childbirth and had to be confined to her home for several years until she died. Between both wives, he had 15 children, but not all of them survived childhood. A powerful orator, Patrick Henry was always a staunch supporter of liberty and patriotism. His “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech in March 1775 is credited with starting the American Revolution in Virginia. He held the following public offices:    Delegate, Virginia House of Burgesses, 1765-1775 Member, Virginia Committee of Correspondence, 1773 Delegate, Continental Congress, 1774-1775 Delegate, Virginia C...

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt is a poignant novel for middle school age readers, although it can also be used for upper elementary and high school.  Set during the Civil War, the title refers to the fact that the war started in April 1861 and ended in April 1865.  This is a deep novel about complex issues and the different perspectives that can be taken about slavery and war. Expect to read carefully along with your student and be prepared to discuss the themes.  There is much to learn about life, courage, and decisions here!  IMPORTANT NOTE: I have referred to three historical poems in this study guide. You can find them in the on-line study guide document which  also contains all of the questions you find below in an easy-to-print Across Five Aprils Study Questions and Poetry PDF . The novel is available from Christian Book Distributors here: Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt .   You can find the publisher's free study guide PDF fi...

Literature Study Questions for   Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink These are very simple study questions designed to get the students to pay attention to what they are reading.  They are also suitable for oral narration if you are reading aloud.  They can be used with upper elementary and middle school students. Author’s Note  According to the Author’s Note, what did the Mrs. Brink use as the basis for her story? Copy the last paragraph. Chapter 1 How would you describe Caddie in this first chapter of the book? How did Caddie meet Indian John? Chapter 2 Why does Mr. Woodlawn let Caddie run around with the boys instead of acting like a young lady? What do Mrs. Woodlawn and Mr. Tanner have in common? Chapter 3 What was Mr. Woodlawn’s policy about hunting pigeons? Why? Describe Uncle Edmond. Chapter 4 Why did Uncle Edmund choose to take Caddie hunting? What did Uncle Edmund do to Caddie, and what was her reaction? Chapter 5 Why did Uncle Edmund want to take Nero wit...